Bryant, who will begin his 20th NBA season in October, is returning from a right shoulder injury that caused him to miss the majority of last season.

Kupchak and Lakers head coach Byron Scott are waiting to see how the 37-year-old responds to live action in training camp to determine his workload for the beginning of the season.

“It’s important for us to keep that in mind and see how he progresses and how he responds to training camp,” Kupchak said Thursday. “I would imagine he would not practice twice a day every day. He’s earned the right to really progress in training camp at a certain pace that works for him and works for us.”

Despite Bryant’s recent injury derailments, Kupchak added that he has faith in the former MVP’s training and preparation, and that he believes Bryant will be ready to produce this season.

“He looks great,” Kupchak said. “He assured me he’s working out every day. Over the years, we’ve gotten to the point where he takes care of himself and when he comes to camp, he’ll be ready. But as far as what level of play and how many minutes and how will he play on the team remains to be seen.”

With 15-time All-Star Kobe Bryant, who underwent surgery in mid-April to repair a torn left Achilles, making his long-awaited return when the Lakers host the Raptors on Sunday (Dec. 8) in Los Angeles, we present rare photos of Kobe, on and off the court.

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

We all knew Bryant was a superstar when he took singer/actress Brandy to his high school prom in 1996. Stud.

Mirek Towski/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

A member of the East team, Bryant shoots over the West team's Jamaal Magloire during Magic's Roundball Classic at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich., in April 1996.

AP

Before he became the Lakers' all-time leading scorer, Kobe Bryant was a star on the Lower Merion (Pa.) High School basketball team. And he was all smiles in this April 1996 photo. After winning the state 4A championship, Bryant and his teammates were honored at the state capitol in Harrisburg.

AP

Bryant was among a star-studded cast at the 1996 NBA Rookie Orientation Program.

Nathaniel S.Butler/ NBAE/ Getty Images

Of the many reasons Bryant should be smiling in this 1997 photo, perhaps he's flashing his pearly whites because he was the first guard taken straight out high school in the NBA draft. Or because he would become the youngest starter ever in the league. Just a couple possibilities.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Here's Kobe, striking a pose during his rookie photo shoot. Charming.

Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images

Yes, he can jump really high and and really far and dunk really hard. That's Kobe.

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Like father, like son. (Only the son went on to become a better basketball player.) Bryant poses with his father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, a former Philadelphia 76er and former coach of the WNBA's L.A. Sparks.

Andy Hayt/NBAE/Getty Images

The rookie poses outside his new home in 1997, the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Jon SooHoo/NBAE via Getty Images

Kobe and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson chat it up during a game in 1997.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

My how things have changed since this 1997 photo. Kobe remains a top NBA player while Stephon Marbury is playing in China.

Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images

Kobe poses with Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson in the make-up room before taping of the show <italics>All That</italics> in 1998.

Jan Sonnenmair/SI

Shaquille carries Bryant during a team media day photo shoot. Aww, they look so happy!

AP

The good times didn't exactly last for O'Neal and Bryant.

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Bryant, of the West All-Star team, talks with Michael Jordan and Antoine Walker from the East team before practice during All-Star weekend in 2002.

Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/ Getty Images

Donning a Michael Jordan jersey, Bryant arrives for Game 4 of the 2002 Finals. The 22-year-old took home his third NBA title that year.